The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-01

who had been talked about was brave enough
to withstand it ALL
Il took that wretch for better or worse-it has
turned out to be worse. I'll agree to the divorce
to keep him away from me-but to marry again
could ever look You in the facet" She said
this many times TO the Major. and she wrote il
! to him-and at last he sullenly accepted IT.
| Nothing but 10 wait until whisky should kill
the wretch. or rascality should direct bullet
| into his heart
Meanwhile. no suspicion had gone forth.
! There was no need to tell anything for the pres
| emit The amateur detectives the fort had
| found out tina. Mrs. Stamford was really with
| Major Standiford's aunt-and also that Mrs.
| Stamford had not been well, and the air of the
little mountain town was better for her than the
! fort. And then the Major had been detailed TO
| go on a long and fatieuine Western trip. so his
locked and closed quarters did not excite any
unusual speculation.
But the Major came back after while and
his altered looks began 10 make people ask him
sly questions. The Majors heart seemed to hare
altered too The devil of vengeance possessed
him. Marjorie was i'll. Nothing particular was
the matter with her The doctor had told Aunt
Emilne plainly that something Mrs
Standlfords mind, and until that removed
he could do nothing And Aunt Emiline had
written anxiously, and said that every week
Marjorie was getting thinner and paler, and that
all night long she heard her light step pacing up
and down the room aud that she feared Marjorie
was not long for this word
When the Major read this letter he felt
change, sudden and sharp. within him. He must
kill that man. Murderer felon, Marjorie
would marry him if he were free. He would give
the wretch a chance for his lfe-but the world
was not big enough for both of
them. Then he croaned over himself
Where had gone that other brave,
enduring self, and whence had come this blood
thirsty, craving, revengeful self He would go
to Bellport. He did not distinctly say to himself
that he would find Forester and Kill him. but he
knew Forester would be there. and he did what
he had never done before-he took with him
little seven chambered REVOLVER dangerous
toy.
He got to Bellport in the evening and walked
where MajOrie He npad
to ask after her. but he dared not Something
made him fear her-perhaps that dreadful. half
formed purpose in his mind that made him hate
himself worse than he hated Forester. He went
TO the hotel and ate his supper eloomily in the
gaudy little dining room. There sign of
Forester, but yet he knew he was in the house
He went out and walked the streets until mid
night. When he returned, he glanced into the
smoking-room. Three men sat playing cards
looking fellow, deliberately dressed. like gam
bier in luck.
The Major walked in. No recognized him
except Forester. Forester had but one virtue
and that was courage
Wont you join in little eame-euchre
you see" he said with cool and easy insolence.
with pleasure, replied the Major giving
Forester glance which made him repent bav-
ing come in Standiford's way.
The otherkwo men. of whom described
himself a commercial traveller, apd the other
said he was nothing but plain drummer"
looked surprised. They did not often See men
like Major Standiford join that sort of a game
in that sort of a way. Stamford took seat
silently, opposite the plain drummer. and the
cards were dealt
of i'll luck. Standiford played boldly and well,
but the cards were against him. Presently the
deal came to Forester. He turned ace.
Stamford laid his cards down the table.
Put down that card, that top" For
rester's face did not change color, did he
finch Standiford reached behind him and took
out the little pisto! and laid it down beside him.
Its seif-cocker," remarked Forester,
calmly surveying it. and sorting his cards
into his pocket and suddenly rising, reached out
and seized Forester by the collar.
PUT down that card" he repeated Here the
drummer interfered.
II guess you'd better bring that card out.
you, and this gentleman appears to be
stronger than you, and to have his pistol han
der"
Forester with Major Standiford's hand still at
his throat, reached down, and from some I'M
known depths, produced a card-the ten of
spades.
Standiford let him go, and taking out hand
kerchef coolly wiped his hands
Gentlemen" said the plain drummer, this
things gone far enough for me. like a social
game myself but l seen trouble coming when
Mr.. What's his name came into the game My
little bed is a-waitin' for me. Wishin' you a
pleasant evening, must bid you good night"
His companion, who had in the beginning
tired precipitatebly to a sofa in thelcorner, also
rose. 'Thems my sentiments, gents" he said,
and vanished with his friend.
Forester rose and shat the door after them,
then returned to his seat facing Major Standi-
drops stood OF mis- forehead Forester had not
once lost h is GOODNESS.
II didn't think you'd undertake to kill me
like that. You did as if you'd shoot me down,
just now"
81 did not think so once. either" answered
Stamford. but you have made me almost as
vile you"
.'Wel,' continued Forester, after a pause.
~ going to do for you favor I'm going
save you from being amnrderer. AS for me- it
don't matter much There two three men
out West looking for me. and I've got kind of
feeling that bullets coming my way soon.
May be you know that men in my way of living
generally know when their times coming and
I've known for six months mine wasn't far off.
So it wouldn't matter much if you did for me.
though tell you fair and square I'd get the drop
you first if I could. But Ill never get the
drop any man now. know it."
go on" said Standford. quietly.
well, neither of US, neither of us, can have
her. you know"
Don't speak her name" shrieked Standiford,
springing at him like a wild beast. Then he |
dropped back into his chair.
''Shos-you know, don't your
know whatr replied Standford, turning
ashy.
shes dying" answered Forester.
Standiford rose, put on his hat, and walked |
straight out of the He took his way |
toward the small white house he knew so we'll |
His head reeled Had he then been saved the |
awful need of killing that man! Might he once
more go among his fellow without feeling |
that he was foredoomed to wash his hands in |
bloodl And Marjorie. peor Marjorie, dy- |
ineF
He paused before the door. He had not dared
to go there two hours ago Even now he
not certain that if Marjorie lived he should not
get kill Forester. But something's feeling
that he was not yet murderer. even in his
heart, gave him courage. He walked up the
steps and was about to pull the bell when the
door opened as if some one were waiting for him.
The fresh faced housemaid, with her hand on
the knob. started back. with half scream. She
knew who the Major was. and his face fright
ened her. Without saying a word. he walk ed IN.
The gas in the little paror yet lighted, al
100, - 1r,iD
had that dreadful air of order and precision
that Immediately follows a death. The Major
made his way to the staircase. He remembered
seeing Wight IN the upper windows His heavy
step aroused the house Miss Emiline slipped
out the landing. The Major knew what had
happened then, just as he knew the day he had
found Marjorie in the corner of the old sofa at
home
when did she def" he asked in his own